In Rome they celebrate the power of social transformation of music inspired by the Venezuelan Orchestra System

In an emotional meeting organized by “The Italian System” held in the Aula Magna of the Pontifical Theological Faculty Teresianum, the ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the Italian Republic, María Elena Uzzo, led the national participation in the tribute paid to the teacher Giuseppe Sinopoli on the 25th anniversary of his planting.

The event served as a stage to reaffirm the value of collective musical practice as the most powerful tool for inclusion and social transformation of our time.

The day was attended by prominent civil, academic and artistic authorities, including Professor Elisabetta Maschio, president of the Youth and Children's Orchestra and Choir System in Italy; the director of the Italian System, Francesco de Zan; Maestro Sinopoli's relatives and others.

In addition, the executive director of the Venezuelan National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras and Choirs (El Sistema), maestro Eduardo Méndez, connected from Caracas, strengthening institutional ties between the two nations.

During her speech, the Venezuelan diplomat highlighted the deep pride of sharing a model that was born 51 years ago under the vision of teacher José Antonio Abreu. “With just a handful of artists, Maestro Abreu demonstrated that an orchestra and a vocal ensemble do not serve only to make art, but to transform realities and overcome material poverty with the spiritual richness of beauty,” he said.

The Chief of Mission stressed that, despite the complex difficulties that her country has experienced, the melodies have never stopped resonating. He stressed that carrying out this noble initiative has been a solid and permanent State policy with surprising indicators.

Currently, this network has a historic record of 443 active centers distributed throughout the country, housing more than 1,300,000 girls, boys and adolescents who find in their classrooms a haven of peace, discipline and personal growth.

The ambassador celebrated that this Venezuelan miracle is fully rooted in Italian territory, through inclusion projects and the moving “Choirs of White Hands”. Faced with the challenges of the digital age and artificial intelligence, Uzzo called for reflection on educational poverty and youth isolation behind the screens.

He emphasized that an orchestra or a social choir—defined in Italy as true schools of life and citizenship—rescues human empathy and teamwork. This is where new generations learn that the success of harmony depends on collective effort and that the error of a partner is not criticized, but rather sustained with solidarity.

The event concluded with the strong commitment of the Venezuelan delegation to continue to weave cultural bridges with Italy to honor the legacy of the masters Sinopoli and Abreu, demonstrating that art continues to build a more just society.

MPPRE